Model of Care
National Model of Care for Paediatric Healthcare Services in Ireland
The National Clinical Programme for Paediatrics and Neonatology has developed a model of care for paediatric healthcare services in Ireland. The model sets out to underpin the delivery of healthcare for children both in the present and into the future. Key steps in its development were wide consultation with all healthcare professionals, involvement with parents and parent groups, a detailed analysis of the current clinical activity of all paediatric medical and surgical subspecialties, the current interface between primary, secondary and tertiary care services, and a study of how paediatric clinical care is distributed with reference to international best standards. Policy was developed from the ground up and involvement and advice was sought from those working in hospital management and community services throughout the process.
Paediatric Model of Care by Chapters
Neonatal Services
Working in close partnership with the Faculty of Paediatrics, Royal College of Physicians of Ireland, a new model of care for neonatal services in Ireland has been launched. The recommendations set out in the new model of care have been benchmarked against international standards and have been informed by neonatologists, paediatricians, neonatal nurses and health and social care professionals (HSCPs) involved in providing care to newborn babies. Discussions were also held with parents whose babies receive care through our partners in the Irish Neonatal Health Alliance and the Irish Premature Babies Association. The views of all groups were considered in the development of this model, with the overall aim of designing systems that will provide quality care to every baby.
Paediatric Diabetes
Insulin Pump Therapy for Children under 5 years of age with Type 1 Diabetes
A model of care was developed in 2012 for the provision of Continuous Subcutaneous Insulin Infusion (CSII) therapy in children aged under five years of age and was updated in March 2015. Evidence has shown that the most effective treatment for type 1 diabetes in children is by using an insulin pump. The key objectives of this model of care are:
- Provide CSII therapy to children under five, where appropriate
- Ensure that diabetes services and staffing levels are equitable in the pump centres nationwide
- Reduce acute and chronic complications of type 1 diabetes
- Improve the quality of life of children and their families living with diabetes
Model of Care for All Children and Young People with Type 1 Diabetes
The Paediatric Diabetes Working Group, through the governance of the HSE/RCPI National Clinical Programmes for Paediatrics and Diabetes has developed a model of care for all children and young people with type 1 diabetes. In developing this model the multi disciplinary working group received input from international experts and consulted widely with healthcare professionals providing paediatric diabetes services. The views of children and adolescents with Type 1 diabetes, and their parents, was sought with the help of Diabetes Ireland, and the feedback received helped to shape the development of the model.
General Paediatric Surgery
Working in close partnership with the National Clinical Programme in Surgery and the National Clinical Programme for Paediatrics and Neonatology as part of a collaboration between the HSE, the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland and a national network of hospitals providing surgical care for children supported by Children’s Health Ireland (CHI), this model of care has been developed to ensure sustainable delivery of paediatric general surgery in Ireland for regional and local paediatric surgery facilities along with CHI.
General Paediatric Surgery Model of Care for Ireland (PDF, 3.61 MB, 108 pages)